Effects of propolis on eggshell microbial activity, hatchability, and chick performance in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs

Abstract

Propolis is a sticky resin produced by worker honeybees from substances collected from plants, and it has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of propolis on egg weight loss, hatchability, chick performance, and to control microbial activity naturally occurring on eggshells. A total of 750 fresh eggs was randomly divided into 5 groups. Eggs from the first group were sprayed with ethyl alcohol (70%, A), the second group was sprayed with benzalkonium chloride (B), and the third, fourth, and fifth groups were sprayed with propolis at 3 doses: 5, 10, and 15%. Eggs sprayed with propolis had lower egg weight loss than eggs from groups A and B (P < 0.001). Bacterial activity was reduced significantly in all propolis groups. There were no significant differences between treatments for hatchability, embryonic mortality, BW gain, and relative growth. Results of the present study indicated that propolis could be an alternative hatching egg disinfectant versus a chemical disinfectant, without adverse effects on hatchability and performance of quail chicks.

Effect of dietary supplementation of essential oils mixture on performance, eggshell quality, hatchability, and mineral excretion in quail breeders

“…They were then transferred at random to hatcher trays and were maintained at 37.2°C and 75 % relative humidity until hatching. The numbers of hatched chicks were counted after 18 days of incubation, and then fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, and hatchability of set eggs in the treatment groups were also determined (Aygun et al 2012). On day 60, fecal samples were collected for mineral [i.e., Ca, P, magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), chrome (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb)] analysis.…”

New emerging fields of application of propolis

“…This remarkable combination makes it an excellent candidate for preserving different foods. Successful experiments have been performed for utilization of propolis extracts in the preservation of numerous products: fruit juices [62][63][64][65], fruits [68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77], vegetables [78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85], eggs [86][87][88][89][90][91], meat and fish products [92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99][100] (Table 2). This field of application of propolis is rapidly growing, as indicated by the growing number of publications.…”

“…Hawaiiana) Ethanol extract Llanta Azul apiary, Zaragoza (Antioquia -Colombia) [77] Vegetables Rice (Oryza sativa, var. hinohikari) Absolute ethanol, methylene chloride and hexane extracts Brazilian green propolis [78] Carrot (minimally processed) 25% Water and alcohol extracts Brazilian green propolis [79] Lettuce Ethanol extract Bragança, Portugal [80] Cucumber 70% Ethanol extracts Pato Branco (PR), Brazil [81] Beans, carrots against white rot disease Alcohol extract Iraq [82] Mixed vegetables for soup Propolis extract Argentina [83] Celery, leek and butternut squash (minimally processed) Ethanolic extract; standardized to 10% propolis extract Mendoza province, Argentina [84] Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Ethanol extract Brazilian green propolis [85] Eggs Eggs quality during storage 70% Ethanol extract Hatay province, Turkey [86,87] Japanese quail eggs 70% Ethanol extract Hatay province, Turkey [88][89][90] Hens eggs Ethanol extract Parana state, Brazil, [91] Meat products Fresh oriental sausage 95% Ethanol extract Cairo, Egypt [92] Sausages 96% Ethanol extract Boyacá, Colombia [93] Fermented meat sausage "Alheira" 95 % ethanol Vila Franca, Viana do Castelo, Portugal [94] Beef patties Commercial ethanol extracts Sonora, Mexico, poplar type [95] Poultry meat product-cured cooked ham 96% Ethanol extract Slovakia [96] Fish products Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets, frozen storage Water extract Egypt [97] Cachama fish (Piaractus brachypomus) fillets (refrigeration) 96% Ethanol extract Boyacá, Colombia [98] Fresh fish burgers 70% Ethanol extract La California, LI, Italy [99] Fresh shibuta (Barbus grypus) fillets Water extract Fanus Natural Company, Trabzon, Turkey [100] Others Milk protein concentrate (diary beverages) 94 % Ethanol extract Water extract Canada [101] Food packaging Chitosan-propolis coated polypropylene films 80% Ethanol extract Konya region, Turkey. [102] Antimicrobial edible coating of Bell Pepper 95% Ethanol extract China [103] Active film with antimicrobial effect, reduces oxidation of butter during storage 70% Ethanol extract Brazilian red propolis …”

The Effects of In-Ovo Injection of Propolis on Egg Hatchability and Starter Live Performance of Japanese Quails

“…After 18.5 days of incubation, all hatched chicks were removed from each hatch basket, unhatched eggs were opened, and embryos were classified according to guidelines of Aygun et al (2012) to establish the stage of embryonic mortality, as d 1-9 (black-eye visible and embryo without feathers), d 10-16 (embryo with feathers and embryo with yolk out), and d 17-18 (dead fully-grown embryo and with internalized yolk). Fertility was calculated as the percentage of set eggs.…”

“…(Greenaway et al, 1990;Krell, 1996;Schmidt, 1997). Propolis has antibacterial (Kujumgiev et al, 1993;Sforcin et al, 2000;Silici & Kutluca, 2005;Aygun & Sert, 2013), antifungal (Kartal et al, 2003;Longhini et al, 2007;Soylu et al, 2008; The Effects of In-Ovo Injection of Propolis on Egg Hatchability and Starter Live Performance of Japanese Quails Aygun et al, 2012), antiviral (Serkedjieva et al, 1992;Marcucci, 1995), antioxidant (Russo et al, 2002;Gregoris et al, 2011), and preservative effects (Copur et al, 2008;Akpinar et al, 2015). Propolis contains pollen, essential and aromatic oils, sugar, amino acids, vitamin and mineral elements (Schmidt and Buchmann, 1992;Krell, 1996;Hegazi, 1998;Burdock, 1998).…”